Bolivian Air Force Receives the Super Puma Helicopters

Bolivian Air Force Receives the Super Puma Helicopters

Published on : Dec 16, 2014

It was declared by the Airbus Helicopters that the Bolivian Air Force was the recipient of second of the six Airbus AS332 C1e Super Puma helicopters. The Super Pumas are generally used for several internal security missions and counter narcotics. The rest of the four helicopters will start operating from the year 2016. In late 2013, the light medium helicopters were purchased by the FAB for fighting drug trafficking and for conducting many internal security operations. The delivery of the very first helicopter was in August.

Apart from the helicopters, the deal also involves a program of technology transfer that entails training the technicians and the pilots in Bolivia and France. According to Airbus, the FAB in the past has had a maintenance expert and an instructor pilot ever since the very first delivery of the helicopter. Almost hundred pilots and technicians of FAB have received intense training hitherto.

In Latin America, there are more than 110 helicopters of the Super Puma series that are presently in service. Also, Airbus has several pending orders which entail more than about fifty more aircrafts. What makes these helicopters uniquely appropriate for this particular region is its ability to operate in jungles and high altitudes, and also its capacity to withstand extreme temperatures.